Police Officer

Brian Shaw

Police Officer Brian Shaw was shot and killed while making a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 1200 block of Leishman Avenue at approximately 8:00 pm.

The driver fled on foot during the stop, then opened fire on Officer Shaw as he pursued him. Officer Shaw was fatally wounded in the chest during the foot pursuit. The subject continued to flee and remains at large.

Officer Shaw had served with the New Kensington Police Department for only five months. He had previously served as a part-time officer for three years with the Cheswick Police Department, Frazer Police Department, and Springdale Township Police Department.

Trooper Michael Stewart was killed in a vehicle crash on Route 711, at the Route 271 split, in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, at approximately 2:20 am.

His patrol SUV was traveling southbound when a garbage truck attempted to turn left onto the roadway in front of it, causing a collision. Trooper Stewart suffered fatal injuries in the crash and his partner suffered minor injuries.

Trooper Stewart had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for three years.

Trooper Landon Weaver was shot and killed when he and another trooper responded to a domestic disturbance at a rural home on Bakers Hollow Road in Juniata Township, Huntingdon County, at approximately 6:30 pm.

He had responded to the home to investigate a protective order violation when he was shot. The subject who shot him had been released on bail on a felony charge earlier in the month. The subject was located the following morning is and is now deceased.

Trooper Weaver had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for only one year and was assigned to Troop G. He is survived by his wife.

Detective Paul Koropal suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in serving of 11 search warrants in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

He and other members of a federal narcotics task force were serving the warrants when he told his partner he wasn't feeling well. He was taken to the Uniontown Hospital where he suffered a fatal heart attack at approximately 2:30 pm.

Detective Koropal had served with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office for 18 years and was assigned to the Pennsylvania State Police Auto Theft Task Force. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son, his mother, and three sisters.

Police Officer

Lloyd Reed

Police Officer Lloyd Reed was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call at a home at 131 Ligonier Street, in New Florence.

He was fatally shot by the subject as he arrived at the location. Despite being wounded, Officer Reed was able to return fire and wounded the subject. The man fled the scene but was arrested by members of the Pennsylvania State Police approximately six hours later suffering a gunshot wound in the shoulder.

Officer Reed was transported to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Reed had served with the St. Clair Township Police Department for five years. He had previously served with the Seven Springs Borough Police Department, Hooversville Borough Police Department, and Seward Borough Police Department for a combined total of 25 years. He is survived by his wife.

Lieutenant Eric Eslary was killed in a vehicle collision on Route 30, near Clark Hollow Road, at approximately 2:00 am.

His patrol SUV was struck head-on by a van driving the wrong way on the divided highway. His canine partner suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery at an emergency animal hospital. The two occupants of the van were critically injured.

Lieutenant Eslary had served with the Ligonier Township Police Department for 17 years. He is survived by his wife and six children.

Police Officer Robert Wilson was shot and killed when he and his partner interrupted a robbery at a video game store at 2101 West Lehigh Avenue at approximately 4:45 pm.

The officers were conducting a security check of the businesses in the strip mall and had parked in front of the store. Officer Wilson went into the store to conduct the security check and to buy a video game for one of his sons. While he was inside two brothers entered the store and announced a robbery, not noticing Officer Wilson inside or the patrol car parked out front.

Officer Wilson immediately announced himself. He exchanged shots with the two brothers as he drew fire away from the customers and employees. He was struck three times during the shootout in which over 50 shots were fired. The two men then exited the store where they were engaged in a shootout with Officer Wilson's partner, who had remained in the patrol car. One of the subjects was wounded during the second shootout.

Both men were arrested and charged with Officer Wilson's murder. One of the brothers was on parole for robbery at the time and both had extensive criminal histories.

Officer Wilson had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two young sons.

Police Officer

Richard Anthony Champion

Police Officer Richard Champion was killed in a vehicle crash while pursing a vehicle on Pittsburgh Road, in Perry Township, at approximately 1:00 pm.

During the pursuit another vehicle turned in front of Officer Champion's patrol car, causing a collision. Officer Champion became trapped in the patrol car while it caught fire. Several citizens attempted to break the windows but were unable to free him from the wreckage. The driver of the other vehicle in the crash was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

The vehicle he was pursuing continued to flee the and the driver remains at large.

Officer Champion was a military veteran. He had served with the Perryopolis Borough Police Department for eight months and also worked part-time with the Derry Borough Police Department. He is survived by his wife and 16-month-old child.

Patrolman J.J. Lomax was electrocuted when he came into contact with a live electrical wire while assisting at the scene of an accident on Sawmill Road, in Salem Township, at approximately 3:10 am.

He was en route home following his shift when he came across the single-vehicle accident. He was attempting to assist the driver when he came in contact with the downed wire.

Patrolman Lomax had served in law enforcement for 27 years. He worked for the Forest City Borough Police Department, Mayfield Police Department, Great Bend Police Department. He also served as a volunteer firefighter with several fire department. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and several siblings.

Sgt. John A. Barney Barnhart (Ret.), 60, of Allentown, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2013, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, suffering from complications due to injuries sustained while in the line of duty. He was the husband of Susan M. (Wilkins) Barnhart with whom he celebrated 37 years of marriage. Born in West Pittston, PA on January 18, 1953, he was the son of the late Malcolm E. and Clare P. (Rader) Barnhart. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Allentown and was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Assembly 931. John attended Admiral Farragut Academy, NJ, and graduated from Whitehall H.S. in 1970. After graduating high school, he started as a Santa at the Whitehall Mall, continuing his role as Santa for F.O.P. Lodge 10, The Spina Bifida Assoc. of the Lehigh Valley, Turning Point Bethlehem, Allentown Federal Credit Union, City of Allentown Employee Christmas Caroling Program, Wiley House, and the Good Shepherd Day Care. John began his career as a police cadet in 1973, joining the Allentown Police Department in 1974. He received numerous commendations, including one for heroism when he entered the Lehigh River to save the lives of three men. In 1985, he coordinated the F.O.P. Food Basket Program as well as fundraisers for The Spina Bifida Association of the Lehigh Valley. He was a loaned executive for United Way, financial secretary for F.O.P.Lodge 10, and a delegate on the F.O.P. State Board. He also served for Big Brothers & Big Sisters and the Visiting Nurses Association, and was a 32nd Degree F. & A.M. at the Jordan-Martin Lodge #673. In 1988, John received the Allentown City Council Spirit Award. John was also an instructor at the Allentown Police Academy, certified scuba diver for the A.P.D., a competitive shooter on the police pistol team, hostage negotiator, master of ceremonies for many police functions, certified defensive driving instructor throughout the state of PA, and also a wonderful Rodney Dangerfield impersonator. John retired as a sergeant in 1996 after being injured in a Dream Come True charity race in 1991 when he was struck from behind by a go-cart operated by the former Mayor of Bethlehem, Ken Smith. His injuries ultimately caused him to have numerous surgeries which left him paralyzed below the waist. Although the last 10 years of his life he was confined to a hospital bed at home, he still enjoyed the love and company of his family and friends. And he especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandson. John was a voracious reader, especially of history and WWII. He loved music and was a trivia buff. He also was an artist, drawing cartoons and caricatures for the F.O.P. newsletter, The Blue Line. Survivors: Wife; children, Sarah R. Bologna and her husband, Michael, Jonathan E. Barnhart; sister, Loretta Golden and her husband, Robert, of Omaha, NE; grandson, Nathan John, who was the joy of his life; nieces and nephews; faithful companions, Orion and Hooper. John was predeceased by his sister, Patricia A. Barnhart. Contributions: Don Bosco Maridi Project - Salesian Lay Missioners, ATTN: Adam Rudin, 2 LeFevre Lane, P.O. Box 30, New Rochelle, NY 10802 or salesianlaymissioners.org.

Patrolman

William J. "Jerry" McCarthy, IV

Shenango Township Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Patrolman Jerry McCarthy was struck and killed while responding to the area of a pursuit in New Castle. The subject vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the passenger side of the cruiser, where Officer McCarthy was seated.

Patrolman McCarthy was pronounced dead during transport to Jameson Hospital. The officer driving the cruiser also sustained injuries in the crash.

The subject had been arrested less than one month earlier, by Patrolman McCarthy's partner, for operating without a license. She was apprehended at the scene and faces multiple charges including manslaughter.

Patrolman McCarthy worked part time for the Shenango Township Police Department and at the Lawrence County District Attorney’s office. He had been with the Shenango Township Police for exactly one year. Patrolman McCarthy is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, step daughter, and step son.

Avery E. Freeman

Chester Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch: Monday, April 30, 2012

Patrolman Avery Freeman succumbed to complications of a surgery required after injuring his knee while on duty.

On March 31, 2012, he and another officer had arrested a female subject at the scene of a domestic disturbance. As Patrolman Freeman walked back to his patrol car he slipped on wet, moss-covered bricks and fell, injuring both knees. The injuries were severe enough that surgery was required. As he recovered from the surgery at the Taylor Rehabilitation Center he suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism.

Patrolman Freeman had served in law enforcement for 17 years. He is survived by his four children, mother, and siblings.

Bio & Incident Details

Police Officer Brad Fox was shot and killed after responding to reports of a hit-and-run near the intersection of Conshohocken Road and Ernest Station Road.

The subject shot Officer Fox and wounded his canine partner, Nick, when they made contact with the man.

Officer Fox had served was a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and had served with the Plymouth Township Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his expectant wife and young daughter. Officer Fox was killed the day before his 35th birthday.

Bio & Incident Details

Police Officer Moses Walker was shot and killed while attempting to take police action while off duty shortly before 6:00 am.

He had just finished his shift at the 22nd District station and was walking to a bus stop after changing into civilian clothes. He was at the intersection of North 20th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue when he encountered a situation that resulted in him drawing his service weapon.

He was found moments later with his weapon underneath his body. It is believed he may have drawn his weapon when one or more subjects attempted to rob him.

Officer Walker had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 19 years. He is survived by his five siblings.

Police Officer Brian Lorenzo was killed when his department motorcycle was struck head-on by a drunk driver on I-95, near the Cottman Avenue exit at approximately 3:15 am.

The drunk driver was driving the wrong way on the interstate at the time. The driver was arrested at the scene.

Officer Lorenzo had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 23 years and was assigned to the Highway Patrol. He is survived by his wife and three children. He is also survived by a brother who serves with the Philadelphia Police Department.